Infrared Lattice Vibrations and Dielectric Dispersion in Corundum

Room-temperature reflectivity measurements in the wavelength range 1 to 140 {μ} have been made on corundum and ruby. Classical oscillator analysis of the data shows that the optical lattice modes with dipole moment vibrating perpendicular to the C axis occur at 15.7, 17.6, 22.6, 26.0 {μ}. Those vibrating parallel to the C axis occur at 17.1 and 25.0 {μ}. The line-widths and strengths are reported. Many forbidden modes are observed. Two of these can have a strength which is comparable to the allowed modes but which is sensitive to surface treatment. Symmetry arguments show that these strong forbidden modes are the A₁ᵤ (forbidden) phonon branches picking up dipole moment as a result of shear strain.